Gizmodo is featuring the Draganflyer X6 in the Gizmodo Gallery. The Gizmodo Gallery features “contemporary marvels, homemade wundergear and pieces of history”. The Gizmodo Gallery runs December 4th to 7th, 2008 in New York, NY. See the Draganflyer X6 Gizmodo Gallery Feature.

Thursday, Dec 4, 2008
noon - 8:00pm

Friday, Dec 5, 2008
noon - 8:00pm

Saturday, Dec 6, 2008
11:00am - 8:00pm

Sunday, Dec 7, 2008
11:00am - 4:00pm

Gizmodo Gallery
Reed Annex
151 Orchard Street
New York, NY 10002, USA

Attend via Webcam
See what’s going on from the comfort of your chair by logging into the Gizmodo Gallery Live Streaming Webcam.

What else is at Gizmodo Gallery?
A ton of cool stuff! See the complete list of Gizmodo gallery items.

PRWeb:

Draganflyer X6 Helicopter Wins Popular Science’s Best of What’s New 2008 - Aviation & Space

Draganflyer X6 helicopter wins the Popular Science Best of What’s New 2008 award in the Aviation & Space category. The Draganflyer X6 helicopter is a remotely controlled unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) designed to carry a wireless video camera.

For 20 years, Popular Science’s Best of What’s New awards honor the innovations that make a positive impact on life today and change our views of the future PopSci’s editors evaluate thousands of products each year to develop this thoughtful list, there’s no higher accolade Popular Science can give

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (PRWEB) November 11, 2008 — The Draganflyer X6 six-rotor helicopter has just been announced as a winner of the Best of What’s New 2008 award in the Aviation & Space category. This award acknowledges the Draganflyer X6 as a breakthrough product representing a significant leap forward in technology in its class. Each year thousands of new and innovative products are considered for this award. Winners are selected based on the potential to improve our way of life or to change the way we think about the future.

Draganflyer X6 Helicopter, Best of What’s New Winner, Aviation & Space

The Draganflyer X6 is a six-rotor electric helicopter designed to carry a high-resolution wireless video camera for uses such as industrial inspection, military reconnaissance, and aerial photography. Measuring 36 inches (99cm) across, the Draganflyer X6 helicopter weighs 2.2lb (1kg). What makes the Draganflyer X6 helicopter special is the advanced technology that controls its flight and allows it to be piloted with minimal training. Unlike conventional remotely operated helicopters, the Draganflyer X6 will hover stably even with the pilot’s hands removed from the controls. A conventional remote control helicopter would crash under the same conditions, requiring constant user input for stability (flying a conventional RC helicopter has been described as being similar to balancing a basketball on the end of a broomstick). The advanced technology used in the Draganflyer X6 helicopter consists of eleven sensors monitored by an onboard processor running over 10,000 lines of code. The sensors include three accelerometers, three gyroscopes, three magnetometers, one barometric (air pressure) sensor, and a GPS receiver. The Draganflyer X6 determines its orientation and position, easily moving where the operator directs it, handling all of the complex attitude and altitude adjustments on its own.

Best of What’s New awards are presented each year to the top 100 products in 11 categories. “For 20 years, Popular Science’s Best of What’s New awards honor the innovations that make a positive impact on life today and change our views of the future,” says Mark Jannot, Editor-in-Chief of Popular Science. “PopSci’s editors evaluate thousands of products each year to develop this thoughtful list, there’s no higher accolade Popular Science can give”. Other Best of What’s New 2008 award winners in the category of Aviation & Space include the NASA Mars Lander and the Boeing Advanced Tactical Laser.

The Draganflyer X6 helicopter features an optional GPS hold function that allows it to maintain its position in the air, freeing the pilot to focus on other tasks such as aerial photography. The Draganflyer X6 helicopter uses interchangeable cameras: A 1080p high-definition video camera, a low light video camera, a thermal infrared camera, and a high-resolution digital still camera. A viewfinder signal is transmitted wirelessly from the helicopter, received by an embedded video receiver in the handheld controller and displayed on video glasses, allowing the user to see what the helicopter sees. The camera mount can be tilted by remote control.

All of the Best of What’s New 2008 winners can be viewed in the December issue of Popular Science available now.

About Draganfly Innovations Inc.:
Draganfly Innovations Inc. has been manufacturing radio controlled helicopters, airplanes, and airships for the past ten years. From toys to industrial tools for police and military, Draganfly Innovations Inc. strives for optimum performance and ease of use. Draganfly’s innovative products have been featured on CNN Headline News, MSNBC, Discovery Channel, and in magazines and newspapers such as Popular Science, Popular Mechanics, GQ, Stuff, Maxim, The New York Times, and The London Times. All Draganflyer helicopters, including the new Draganflyer X6 are exclusively available from Draganfly Innovations Inc. www.draganfly.com

###

From: PR Web

Industrial 6-Rotor Unmanned Helicopter Provides High Definition Wireless Video and High Resolution Photographs

Draganfly Innovations releases the Draganflyer X6 helicopter. This remotely operated, unmanned, miniature helicopter is designed to carry wireless video cameras and still cameras.

The ease with which this helicopter can be piloted is the most revolutionary feature of the Draganflyer X6

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (PRWEB) August 27, 2008, Draganfly Innovations announced the launch of the Draganflyer X6 helicopter, a miniature aircraft for commercial/industrial aerial video and photography. The Draganflyer X6 helicopter is easy to fly, capable of operating autonomously, and has an appearance that is nothing like a conventional helicopter. The unique design utilizes six main horizontal rotor blades and allows the Draganflyer X6 helicopter to hover efficiently and maneuver rapidly using differential thrust.

Draganflyer X6 Helicopter

Remotely controlled aircraft are available for many purposes, and most fall into a class somewhere between toys and the high quality models piloted by hobbyists. Beyond this class is a large gap approaching the point where full size aircraft must be used to achieve tasks such as commercial photography and industrial inspection. In the past this gap was filled by model aircraft with additional equipment grafted on, which required skilled and trained pilots to operate. Draganfly Innovations has created a better alternative; a purpose built self-stabilizing multiple rotor helicopter specifically designed for filming high definition video and photographing high-resolution aerial pictures.

The Draganflyer X6 is a fully functional miniature unmanned electric powered helicopter. Aimed at industrial and commercial use, it provides reconnaissance and inspection information using on-board wireless video and still cameras. The Draganflyer X6 helicopter is able to fly autonomously or can be flown manually by remote control. The Draganflyer X6 helicopter achieves its stability by using an on-board processor running more than ten thousand lines of code and receiving data from eleven on-board sensors (three gyros, three accelerometers, three magnetometers, one barometric pressure sensor, and one GPS receiver). It can be piloted by users with minimal or zero training. The Draganflyer X6 helicopter determines its own orientation and motion and moves where the operator instructs it, automatically handling the complex attitude and altitude adjustments that would ordinarily require a practiced pilot. “The ease with which this helicopter can be piloted is the most revolutionary feature of the Draganflyer X6″ says company president, Zenon Dragan.

The Draganflyer X6 helicopter can be put into GPS hold mode where it will maintain its position without any user input. This means that after activating GPS hold, the pilot can set the handheld controller on the ground while the Draganflyer X6 helicopter flies itself. This mode will allow the user to focus on other tasks such as aerial photography from the Draganflyer X6 helicopter.

The Draganflyer X6 helicopter uses interchangeable cameras, covering different areas of use. A high definition video camera provides 1080p resolution. For dawn and dusk use, there is a low light (0.0001lux) video camera. For night use or search and rescue, the thermal FLIR (Forward Looking Infra-Red) camera provides heat vision. High-resolution photographs can be captured with the 10.1 mega-pixel digital still camera. When using any of the camera modules, a viewfinder video signal is streamed wirelessly back to the operator for real-time viewing on video glasses. The camera mount tilts by remote control, and the helicopter can pan side to side or in a circle.

The Draganflyer X6 helicopter uses six custom designed high efficiency carbon fiber rotors and direct drive brushless motors which result in a quiet and maintenance free helicopter. The Draganflyer X6 helicopter weighs 1kg and has a payload capacity of 500 grams.

Durability and safety have been incorporated into the design of the Draganflyer X6 helicopter. With dual motors on each of the three arms, even if an in-flight collision causes one of the motors or rotors to stop working, the Draganflyer X6 helicopter will still be able to keep flying using the remaining five motors. This ability to fly with a missing motor or rotor is not found in any other comparable helicopter. Other safety features include bright LED navigation lights for safe flying at a distance or in darkness, and automatic self-landing if the radio link controlling the helicopter is lost. An on-board flight recorder (black box) stores telemetry and flight data in a removable memory card, and can be used for post flight analysis.

The Draganflyer X6 helicopter is flown using a custom designed handheld controller with a 2.8″ color OLED touchscreen that displays telemetry and flight data. The handheld controller also receives streaming video sent by the Draganflyer X6 helicopter and passes this to the video goggles, enabling the operator to view what the helicopter is seeing while also keeping an eye on the helicopter itself.

Additional information, pictures, and videos are available from the Draganfly Innovations web site: www.draganfly.com

The Ecoman Micro Bullet RC helicopters are two channel, electric RC helicopters which come in a pair. The Micro Bullets appear to be standard 2 channel electric RC helicopters, but it’s their price that really sets them apart from other products.

At about $20 for a set of two, these micro RC helicopters are a great deal. Each micro heli has an infrared controller and integrated charger. Like most inexpensive RC helicopters, the Micro Bullets lack any gyroscopic stabilization. Instead, they use a weighted flybar to stabilize the main rotors and control flight path.

Apparently, the Micro Bullets can reach an altitude of 50 feet. This seems unlikely, as the infrared controls that they use have a range of only about 10 feet. The Micro Bullets also feature a channel selector, allowing up to three micro helis to fly at the same time.

Not much sets the Micro Bullets apart from other products, but the extremely low price is definitely a selling point.

Follow these maintenance tips to keep your RC helicopter looking and flying like new.

• Canopy - The canopy off your rc helicopter and check it for cracks and other defects. If your canopy was glued together from two halves, make sure that it’s not splitting at the seam. If the canopy mounting holes are enlarged from vibration then they won’t hold screws well. Fix this by placing large washers between the screws and the canopy.
• Servo Tray - Make sure that the servo tray isn’t cracked, and that it’s fastened securely to the fuselage.
• Frame - Ensure that all bolts and screws are tight. If you find any that have vibrated loose, tighten them with a screwdriver and secure them using a thread locking compound.
• Bearings - Bearings are moving parts, so they wear out over time. Make sure that they move freely and lubricate / replace them as needed.
• Landing Gear - Check the landing gear for any signs of stress or damage. If bolts are loose, be sure to tighten them and hold them in place with thread lock.
• Tail Boom - Depending on the type of RC helicopter you have, check the belt or the shaft for signs of wear. If you’re storing the RC helicopter for a long period of time release the belt drive tension.
• Fuel Tank - Be sure to drain all the fuel in the tank, then dissasemble it and make sure that the fuel lines are secure and that the clunk can swing freely.
• Gear Box - Disassemble the tail rotor gear box and lubricate each part. tighten any loose screws.
• Batteries - There are many different opinions about storing and caring for rechargeable batteries. In general: don’t over discharge your cells, store at a 50 percent charge, and cycle regularly to gauge performance. Batteries should be replaced after their performance begins to decrease. If you want to store your batteries over the winter, keep them inside where it’s warm. No battery reacts well to freezing.
• Rubber Grommets - The rubber grommets that servos are mounted to can dry out over time. Prevent this by lightly coating them with petroleum jelly.
• Servo Arms - Check all the servo arms and make sure that none are cracked.
• Clevises - Make sure that the clevises are securely fastened to the servo horns. You can secure the clevises by slipping a small piece of fuel tubing over the closed clevises.

We hope that these tips help you keep your RC helicopters performing well.

Kyosho, a company known for manufacturing many quality RC helicopters, has recently introduced a new kind of mini electric RC helicopter. The Minimum AD Caliber is a fully functional mini RC helicopter featuring real cyclic control, an on board gyro, and a 2.4 Ghz radio system.

This is an impressive set of features for an RC helicopter in it’s price range. This list illustrates why the AD Caliber is different from the many toy RC helicopters being sold today:

• 2.4 Ghz Radio System - Unlike the infra red control systems used by cheap micro helis, a 2.4 Ghz radio system is immune to interference and also has an increased range.
• Lithium Polymer Battery - The AD Caliber uses a lithium polymer battery, allowing fast charge times and long flight times.
• Cyclic Control - Unlike many mini RC helicopters, the AD Caliber’s rotor blades can change pitch. This allows the RC helicopter to be extremely maneuverable and fly with great precision.
• Small Size - The AD Caliber is about the same size as a conventional mini heli, letting you fly it almost anywhere.

All of these features make the AD Caliber a great bargain for it’s projected $240 price tag.

Like with RC model airplanes, RC helicopter transmitters have different modes of operation. This article will show you the four different transmitter modes, and illustrate the differences between them.

Mode 1 RC Helicopter Radio Transmitter

On a mode 1 RC helicopter radio transmitter, the left stick controls fore and aft cyclic and left / right yaw, and the right stick controls the throttle and left / right cyclic.

Mode 2 RC Helicopter Radio Transmitter

On a mode 2 RC helicopter radio transmitter, the left stick controls the throttle and left / right yaw, and the right stick controls the fore / aft cyclic and left / right cyclic.

Mode 3 RC Helicopter Radio Transmitter

On a mode 3 RC helicopter radio transmitter, the left stick controls fore/aft cyclic and left/right cyclic, and the right stick operates the throttle and left / right yaw.

Mode 4 RC Helicopter Radio Transmitter

On a mode 4 RC helicopter transmitter, the left stick controls the throttle and left/right cyclic, and the right stick controls the fore/aft cyclic and left/right yaw.

Spread spectrum technology represents the latest advancement in RC radio control systems.

Unlike conventional PPM (pulse position modulation) and PCM (pulse code modulation) radio systems which operate on distinct channels, spread spectrum radios broadcast over a large range of channels simultaniously. These channels are all members of the 2.4 Ghz band, which removes them from the frequencies often used by other radio devices. Because of this, spread spectrum radio systems are not affected by the interference caused by non RC radio systems.

Spread Spectrum technology also eliminates the need for frequency control. Spread spectrum radio systems broadcast over a multitude of radio frequencies, and the user is never aware of what they are. This works because:

1. The transmitter is assigned a unique identification code when it is built.
2. The radio receiver is programmed to seek and lock to this same code.
3. After the transmitter is turned on, it encodes the signals it sends with its identification code.
4. The receiver searches for this code, and locks to the frequencies that the transmitter is operating on.

Each identification code is unique, which means that no other radio system in the world uses it. Because of this, the individual frequencies that the radio is operating on are irrelevant, so many spread spectrum radios can operate simultaneously.

The most noticeable consequence of this technology is that spread spectrum radios are immune to radio interference. Spread spectrum radios also allow an extremely fast servo response time, because the entire encoding, decoding, and execution of radio commands happens in milliseconds.

Spread spectrum technology is becoming more prevelant in RC radio systems, and will shortly replace conventional FM radio systems entirely.

Balancing your RC helicopter rotor blades is just as important as ensuring that they track properly. There are several different ways that you can balance your RC helicopter rotor blades, this article lists the two easiest and most accurate.

Using a Commercial Balancer

Using a commercial RC helicopter blade balancer (available at most hobby stores) is the easiest and most accurate way to balance your rotor blades. If you don’t mind paying at least 40 to 60 dollars, then we recommend this method over the “hombrew” method listed below.

Checking Dynamic Rotor Blade Balance

Before you check the static balance of the rotor blades, you will have to check the dynamic balance. You will need the following supplies:

1. Pocket Knife
2. Sharp Pencil
3. Tape

Follow this procedure to check the dynamic balance of your rotor blades:

1. Set the knife on a flat surface.
2. Remove the rotor blades from the RC helicopter, and balance one of them on the knife blade.
3. Using the pencil, mark the balance point on the blade, being careful not to move it and upset the balance.
4. Repeat for the other rotor blade.
5. Place the blades on top of each other, and check the relative positions of your balance marks.

If the balance marks are more than 1 millimeter away from each other, then the dynamic balance of the rotor blades will have to be adjusted. Do this by the following procedure:

1. Place the blades on top of each other.
2. Transfer the mark closest to the root of the blades to the other rotor blade.
3. Balance the blade with two marks on the knife, and add tape to it’s root as needed to get it to balance on the new mark.

Your rotor blades should now be balanced dynamically. The next section will show you how to statically balance them.

Statically Balancing Rotor Blades

Follow this procedure to statically balance your RC helicopter rotor blades:

1. Obtain two right angle metal brackets from your local hardware store.
2. Remove your RC helicopters rotor blade holder from the rotor head.
3. Straighten the rotor blades, like they would be in flight.
4. Set the rotor blade holder on the pair of right angle brackets, resting on the balls.
5. Observer the rotor blade assembly. If it tips over then add tape to the lighter rotor blades center of gravity.

After completing the above procedures, your RC helicopter rotor blades should be properly balanced.

This article lists 11 pro tips to help you get the most out of your RC helicopters.

• Secure Radio Components With Velcro - Rubber bands are frequently used to secure RC helicopter radio components. Rubber bands stretch and loosen under stress. You can help secure your radio components by adding Velcro strips, which keep the rubber bands from being stressed too much.
• Easy Switch Marking - RC helicopter radio transmitters have many switches, and remembering which switch does what can be difficult. Fix this problem by slipping different colored fuel tubing over each switch so that you can tell between them at a glance.
• Keep Your Clevises Closed - Almost every RC helicopter uses plastic or nylon clevises to connect servos to their respective control surfaces. You can ensure that they never come undone in flight by slipping small pieces of fuel tubing over the closed clevises.
• Avoid Plastic Swelling - Many plastics swell and distort when introduced to light oil lubricants. If you need to lubricate plastic parts use petroleum jelly to lubricate them.
• Tail Boom Guide Adjustment - RC helicopters use guides to support the tail rotor pushrod. If these guides aren’t aligned properly there will be excessive friction between the pushrod and tail boom. Prevent this problem by carefully adjusting the tail boom guides so that they’re perfectly straight.
• Avoid Double Sided Tape Residue - Many RC helicopter servos are secured with highly adhesive double sided tape. Double sided tape secures servos to the fuselage well, but it can leave a sticky residue when removed. Prevent this by applying scotch tape to the servo case before applying the double sided tape.
• Extend the Needle Valve - If you fly a fuel powered RC heli, then you will need to adjust the mixture using a needle valve. Unfortunately, engines are mounted inside the RC helicopter and can be hard to reach - especially while running. Make your needle valve more accessible by attaching a piece of wire, and routing it outside the fuselage. Make a 90 degree bend at the end of the wire. This let’s you adjust the needle valve by turning the wire, and keeps your hands away from the rotor blades.
• Extend the Power Switch - Reaching the power switch can be hard if it’s mounted inside the helicopter fuselage. Fix this the same way that you extended the needle valve: simply attach a wire, bend one end at 90 degrees, and then route it outside the fuselage.
• Extent the Vertical Fin - RC helicopters use vertical fins to prevent the tail rotor from hitting the ground. If you fly from a grass field, the vertical fin can sink into the runway and damage the tail rotors. Prevent this by adding a piece of wire to the bottom of the bottom of the vertical fin, so that the helicopter rests on it when landed.
• Keep Metal Parts Lubricated - Metal parts wear out after excessive usage. Maximize their lifespan by lubricating them with a light oil.
• Reroute the Charging Cable - You can make it easier to charge your RC helicopters batteries by routing the charging cable outside the fuselage, and attaching it to one landing skid with cable ties.

We hope that these tips make flying your RC helicopter even more enjoyable.